jackson. >> chairman smith, ranking member johnson, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you on america's competitiveness, the role of research and development. i have to say that our graduates have been an integral part of america's promise through discovery and innovation since the university was founded in 1824. more importantly, america's health, prosperity, security and global leadership depend upon our strength, as you have heard in science and technology. our investments in scientific research and education have made a difference in people's lives. let me illustrate. "the new york times" reported that in october, 2004, in afghanistan, a mortar severely injured a u.s. marine corporal, isiah hernandez. he's an example of so many of our wounded warriors. shrapneler to away 70% -- shrapnel tore away 70% of the muscle in his thigh and fractured his feature -- femur. he endured four years of surgeries and physical therapy to little effect unt